In 1959, what's wrong with me pedaling a tricycle?

After hearing Wang Xingguo's purpose, Director Zhao looked at him suspiciously and said, "Are you sure this thing is edible? Don't let it poison us; this is no joke."

Wang Xingguo hurriedly said, "Oh dear, Director Zhao, how can you look at me like that? Do you think I'm that kind of person? Don't worry, this thing is not only edible, but it's also quite delicious. Even the big restaurants in Beijing serve eels as dishes for their customers. We don't believe or spread rumors, okay?"

After thinking for a moment, Director Zhao said, "Then go to the cafeteria and get me some to try. I'm really worried it might be poisonous, and it would be troublesome if something went wrong."

Wang Xingguo naturally had no objections. He nodded and said, "I'll make it for you, and I'll be the first to taste it. You should be relieved then, right?"

Director Zhao replied with a smile, "Okay, if you can really eat it, then you've got a conscience and know how good we are to you."

"Of course! I remember your kindness to me, so the first thing I thought of when I learned this skill was to make you all a little something extra. Look how hard you work these days, more than ten hours a day. I see it all and it pains me to see it..."

Although that statement was a bit exaggerated and even a bit untrue, young people should be judged by their actions, not their intentions. At least he did such a thing, so we shouldn't be too harsh on him.

There are only two people working at the street office canteen, both of whom are family members of employees. After Wang Xingguo finished his greetings, Director Zhao arranged for them to learn how to handle eels. If it really is as Wang Xingguo said, then it would indeed be suitable to buy some eels for the canteen.

Just as Wang Xingguo said, the subdistrict office has been busy with policy promotion and all sorts of other work lately. Everyone is working overtime, often from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. before they can go home to rest.

During the period of communization, overtime work was common in all kinds of workplaces. It wasn't just a few workplaces that required overtime; it was a common practice for almost everyone. Even some schools in certain areas had three study sessions: morning, afternoon, and evening.

The aunties and older women at the neighborhood office canteen were learning from Wang Xingguo how to handle eels. They weren't afraid of them at all. It's said that one of the aunties had even eaten a real snake, so she wasn't afraid of eels at all.

Wang Xingguo gave a serious lesson, and then they started cooking. The neighborhood office didn't have a lot of seasonings, but they had yellow soybean paste and some dried chili peppers, which was enough.

It's impossible to cook it all at once. Twenty catties of eel can yield twelve or thirteen catties of clean meat. If it's just stewed, then there's naturally no problem.

But this stuff still needs to be stir-fried or pan-fried to taste better, so it needs to be cooked in two batches.

Wang Xingguo burned it once, which was a good opportunity to teach them how to burn it properly.

Once the first pot of eel was cooked, Wang Xingguo said to the two women, "Auntie, sister, you should try it too. This eel tastes really good; my family loves it."

After saying that, worried that they might not dare to eat it, he scooped up a piece with a spoon, blew on it, and put it in his mouth to eat.

This time it was a little too salty, but it's not a big problem. In this kind of weather, we sweat a lot, so eating something salty is good for replenishing our electrolytes. These days, don't say things like heavy oil and salt are bad for your health; in fact, their bodies need this kind of food to replenish their energy.

The aunt was the first to pick up her chopsticks and try it. Her eyes lit up as she ate it, and she said to the other person, "Xiaomei, you should try it too. It's really quite good. I didn't expect that this thing could taste like this if it was prepared properly."

Just then, Director Zhao finished his work and rushed in to check on the situation. Wang Xingguo urged him to come and try the freshly cooked eel pieces.

Although Director Zhao hesitated for a moment, he actually picked up a piece and tasted it. As soon as he tasted it, his eyes lit up.

"This stuff doesn't taste as bad as I imagined. If it's really not poisonous, then it's actually a good thing; after all, it's a piece of meat."

Wang Xingguo grinned and said, "Really? I'm not lying to you. Tomorrow I'll get some eels to take to the police station to thank them for taking care of me."

Director Zhao nodded in satisfaction and said, "Not bad, the food tastes good, and the person is good too. Knowing how to be grateful shows that you've grown up, and you deserve praise."

"Hehe, Auntie, try cooking a second batch. I'll teach you how to cook it. If you want to supplement your nutrition in the future, just ask someone from our neighborhood office to go to the countryside to find people to buy eels. Follow my method to clean off the mucus and blood lines, and there won't be much of a muddy taste left."

Director Zhao asked with great interest about the processing method, and then picked up the processed eel, touched it, and looked at it.

After the auntie cooked the second batch, Director Zhao tasted it again and felt that the taste was about the same. Since he had been eating it for so long without any problems, it should really be safe to let everyone eat it.

Director Zhao invited Wang Xingguo to have lunch there, and also asked him to explain to everyone how to process and cook eels, hoping to let everyone know about a practical and affordable way to improve their lives.

Wang Xingguo naturally had no objections. During the meal, everyone was happy to know that there would be an extra dish, but when they learned that it was eel, they all looked uncomfortable.

It was only after Director Zhao encouraged everyone by saying he would eat first that everyone started lining up for food.

Director Zhao is a qualified cadre. He sets a good example by catching eels and eating them in front of everyone, which dispelled many people's concerns.

After everyone tried it, they found that this stuff really was just as Director Zhao had said, and it tasted quite good!

Director Zhao then asked Wang Xingguo to explain to everyone how to prepare and cook eels, etc.

By the time Wang Xingguo finished lunch and left, it was already 1 p.m. The neighborhood office didn't serve lunch until noon, and there was no lunch break; after lunch, he went back to work.

After leaving the subdistrict office, Wang Xingguo went to the Beixinqiao grocery store, his purpose being to see his future wife whom he hadn't seen for many days.

He bought four bottles of chilled soda. Actually, it was just two large blocks of ice from an ice factory that were put into a large metal drum filled with water, and the soda was chilled inside.

Although there are no refrigerators, these days you can still buy chilled soda, chilled beer, and chilled plum juice.

Li Xiuping was chatting with her colleagues because there weren't many customers. As if by telepathy, she suddenly felt someone watching her. She looked up and saw Wang Xingguo carrying a bottle of soda.

Li Xiuping exclaimed in surprise, "What brings you here?"

Wang Xingguo smiled and waved the soda in his hand, saying, "After finishing my work, I thought it was quite hot today, so I bought you some chilled soda to quench your thirst."

Seeing this, Li Xiuping's two colleagues chimed in, "Oh, Xiuping, your boyfriend is so thoughtful. My bastard doesn't even buy me a soda, let alone say a word of concern."

Another woman chimed in, "Exactly! The difference between men is just so vast!"

Wang Xingguo greeted them with a smile, then helped them open the soda caps on the counter and handed them drinks.